ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Cabinet approves Production Linked Incentive Scheme for IT Hardware
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Production Linked Incentive  Scheme for IT Hardware. The scheme proposes production linked incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the value chain of IT Hardware. The Target Segments under the proposed Scheme include Laptops, Tablets, All-in-One PCs andServers.
The Scheme shall, extend an incentive of 4% to 2% / 1% on net incremental sales  of goods manufactured in India and covered under the target segment, to eligible companies, for a period of four  years.
The scheme is likely to benefit5 major global players and 10 domestic champions in the field of IT Hardware manufacturing including Laptops, Tablets, All-in-One PCs, and Servers. This is an important segment to promote manufacturing under AtmaNirbhar Bharat as there is huge import reliance for these items at present.
Financial Implications:
The total cost of the proposed scheme is approximately Rs.7,350 crore over 4 years, which includes an incentive outlay of Rs.7,325 crore and administrative charges of Rs.25 crore.
Benefits:
The scheme will enhance the development of electronics ecosystem in the country. India will be well positioned as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing  on account of integration with global value chains, thereby becoming a destination for IT Hardware exports.
The scheme has an employment generation potential of over 1,80,000  over 4 years.
The Scheme will provide impetus to Domestic Value Addition for IT Hardware which is expected to rise to 20% - 25% by 2025.
Background:
The vision of National Policy on Electronics 2019 notified on 25.02.2019 is to position India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing  by encouraging and driving capabilities in the country for developing core components, including chipsets, and creating an enabling environment for the industry to compete globally.
Currently, the laptop and tablet demand in India is largely met through imports valued at USD 4.21 billion and USD 0.41 billion respectively in 2019-20. The market for IT Hardware is dominated by 6-7 companies globally which account for about 70% of the world's market share. These companies are able to exploit large economies of scale to compete in global markets. It is imperative that these companies expand their operations in India and make it a major destination for manufacturing of IT Hardware.
Given the current global scenario, the world of manufacturing is undergoing a paradigm shift. Manufacturing companies across the globe are looking to diversify their manufacturing locations to mitigate the risk involved in depending on a single market.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Health Insurance Scheme for CGHS Beneficiaries
The Sixth Central Pay Commission in its report had recommended the introduction of a Health Insurance Scheme for central government employees and pensioners and their dependent family members on pan India basis. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has framed the draft health Insurance Scheme. OPD facilities are not covered under the proposed scheme. The draft scheme has been sent to the Department of Expenditure, Government of India, for appraisal and approval of the financial feasibility of the scheme.
The Minister of State , Sh Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Department of Fisheries implements flagship scheme namely “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana  to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India”
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme namely “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana - A scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India” with highest ever investment of Rs. 20050 crore in the fisheries sector for its implementation for a period of five years with effect from the financial year 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories. PMMSY intends to address critical gaps in fish production, productivity, quality, technology, post- harvest infrastructure and management, modernisation and strengthening of value chain, traceability, establishing a robust fisheries management framework and fishers’ welfare. PMMSY eventually aims to enhance fish production and productivity, export, generating employment opportunities, reduction of post-harvest losses and enhancing domestic fish consumption.
This information was given by Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Visit of Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep S. Puri to UAE from 15 – 17 November 2021
Shri Hardeep S. Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs, will lead an official and business delegation to UAE from 15 – 17 November 2021, to attend the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference  on the invitation of H. E. Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of UAE.
During the visit, the Minister will participate in the inaugural Ceremony of ADIPEC and also take part in a Ministerial Round Table titled “Charting the Climate Action Path from COP 26 to COP 27”. Shri Puri will inaugurate the India Pavilion, set up jointly by Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry , Directorate General of Hydrocarbons , and Confederation of Indian Industry .
The Minister will give a keynote address during the Road Show on “Investment Opportunities in the Exploration and Production Sector in India” which DGH will be conducting on the sidelines of ADIPEC, to attract foreign investment by global oil and gas majors.
Shri Puri is scheduled to meet his counterparts from UAE, H.E. Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, Minister of Industry & Advanced Technology, MD & Group CEO, ADNOC, to discuss issues of energy cooperation within the overall framework of India-UAE Strategic Partnership. The Minister will also have meetings with his counterparts from various countries and Heads of international energy organizations and CEOs of global oil & gas companies, who are attending the ADIPEC- 2021.
Transiting through Dubai, the Minister will inaugurate the Oil & Gas Sectoral floor at the India Pavilion of the Dubai Expo. He will participate in a Roundtable meeting on “Opportunities in Oil and Gas sector”, to be hosted by DGH.
Hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company , ADIPEC is one of the world’s largest and an influential oil and gas event, which will provide Indian companies a world-class environment for showcasing their success stories across the industry’s value chain.
Ministry of Railways
Sunday pattern of working for PRS Centrers on Christmas Day
On Saturday, 25th December, 2021, all the computerized Passenger Reservation System Centres in Thiruvananthapuram Division, Southern Railway will function single shift, i.e. from 08.00 hrs. to 14.00 hrs. in view of Christmas.
(Visitor Counter : 8
Ministry of Electronics & IT
MoS Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar to address Digital India Dialogue session on PLI 2.0 for IT Hardware in Bengaluru tomorrow
Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar will be addressing a Digital India Dialogues session on the recently revised production linked incentive  scheme for IT hardware in Bengaluru tomorrow.
The meeting will have stakeholders from the technology ecosystem including experts, representatives of industry associations and startups. The focus of the meeting will be on stimulating the development of advanced processors, intellectual properties  and embedded systems. These consultations are in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s consultative approach to law and policy making. The Minister will be arriving in Bengaluru in the morning and will attend a media interaction which will be followed by the consultations.
Through the provision of financial incentives, the government seeks to encourage localisation of IT hardware components and sub-assemblies. The scheme covers laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, servers and ultra small form factor devices. In doing so, the government aims to catalyse domestic IT hardware manufacturing ecosystem of India, thereby creating Indian champions in IT hardware industry.
In May, the Government cleared the PLI 2.0 scheme for IT hardware with an outlay of Rs 17,000 crore, more than doubling the budget for the scheme that was first cleared in 2021 to incentivise and promote domestic manufacturing by attracting large investments in the value chain. After implementation, it will be with a cap on maximum incentives available to participating companies.
The scheme is expected to lead to total production of about ₹ 3.35 lakh crore, bring an additional investment of ₹ 2,430 crore in electronics manufacturing and is expected to generate 75,000 additional direct jobs.
RKJ/DK
(Visitor Counter : 1300
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
All 20 regional offices of Food Corporation of India advised to implement ‘Vehicle Tracking System’ 
GPS in Trucks Transporting PDS Commodities
As per information available from Food Corporation of India, all 20 regional offices have been advised to implement ‘Vehicle Tracking System’ . So far, the VTS tender could be finalized only in following 5 regions, namely – Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand.
Further, as part of an earlier scheme on ‘End-to-End Computerization of Public Distribution System  Operations’ almost all States/UTs have done the Computerization of Supply Chain Management operations for online monitoring of the receipts and issuance of foodgrains besides online generation of delivery orders, truck challans, gate passes, etc. including delivery of SMS alerts to FPS dealers and some beneficiaries.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri DanveRaosahebDadarao in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Railways
Railways enhances Rail Infrastructure and Urban Decongestion in areas near Delhi
Existing Rohtak-Gohana Rail Line in Rohtak City converted to Elevated Track
Four Level Crossings Eliminated
In order to enhance Railway infrastructure and assist in urban decongestion, Indian Railways is taking series of steps all across the country.
As a part of those activities, Northern Railways has converted the existing Rohtak-Gohana Railway line into a 4.8 km long elevated track. The work on the line is almost complete and it will be commissioned in the next three months.
The said Railway line was going through the heart of the city. There are four level crossings on this line within the town limits. This resulted in heavy traffic congestions as the level crossing gates would often be closed. It also jeopardized movement of rail traffic, compromising safety and speed of trains and inconvenienced the road users.
Now the track has been elevated this has eliminated the level crossings which will be a big relief to the people of Rohtak. With the commissioning of the line, Railways will be able to smoothly operate trains on this important route. Speed of trains in this section will also be increased.
The Railways and the Government of Haryana together working on the project, have spent Rs. 315 Crore in total, with the state contributing Rs. 225 Crore. With this a long standing demand of the people of Rohtak has been fulfilled by the Railways.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Vigyanika to showcase science literature events at IISF 2019
Vigyanika – an International Science Literature Festival – is slated to showcase science communication efforts and concepts through an interesting mix of media including drama, poetry, panel discussions and paper presentations during the 5th India International Science Festival  beginning in Kolkata on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. The Vigyanika, to be held from November 5-7, 2019, will also include a science book fair displaying scientific publications from more than 30 reputed publishers.
Vigyanika is being coordinated by the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources , Vigyan Prasar, and Vigyan Bharati.
The Union Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, will be the Chief Guest of the inaugural function. Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology will deliver the keynote address and Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, DG-CSIR and Secretary, DSIR will Chair the inaugural session.
Spread across 16 multiple sessions of Vigyan Manthan , Vigyan Manchan , Vigyan Spandan  and Vigyan Prakashan , Vigyyanika will see nearly 75 eminent science communicators, authors, researchers and science journalists from India, USA, UK, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and Nepal addressing more than 200 delegates from across the country.
Vigyan Manthan will have four panel discussions on the themes Science of Happiness, Contemporary Science Literature: A perspective, Science Communication in Indian Languages and Taking Science to the People – Challenges & Solutions. The panel discussions will have 27 experts deliberating on these contemporary topics.
Vigyan Spandan will have two scientific sessions on the theme Science Communication – Innovative Approaches during which fourteen research papers will be presented by researchers and scientists.
Apart from discussions on the current state of science communication in the country and the attendant challenges & solutions, the International Science Literature Festival this time promises an eclectic mix of science communication media in the form of science poetry , science drama on Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, and a science magic show. All these events are expected to entertain and educate the audience on science communication through unconventional methods.
Two competitions will also be held as part of Vigyanika – a science debate competition and a science cartoon competition.
The International Science Book Fair  will have 30 publishers and research institutions exhibiting their science and technology publications and archives at Vigyanika. Book releases, meet-up and interactive discussions with authors will be part of the book fair. Six science books are slated for release at the book fair.
Vigyanika will conclude with a Round Table discussion on November 7, 2019.
Ministry of Defence
DEFENCE MODERNISATION
There is no meagre allocation of resources for defence modernisation and allocation for modernisation under total Capital Outlay for defence services has gone up from Rs 80,959.08 crore in FY 2019-20 to Rs 1,32,301.27 crore in FY 2023-24. The projected and allocated funds under Capital Acquisition  in BE 2023-24 are as follows:

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Capital Acquisition 
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Projection BE 2023-24
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Allocation BE 2023-24
|
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1,32,841.04
|
|
1,32,301.27
The allocated funds are optimally utilised towards operational activities. If required, the schemes are reprioritised to ensure that urgent and critical capabilities are acquired without any compromise to operational preparedness of the Defence Services.
With a view to encourage indigenous industry to contribute to defence modernisation, funds for the financial year 2023-24 have been earmarked in the ratio of 75:25, where 75% i.e. Rs 99,223.03 crore is for Domestic procurement and 25% i.e. Rs 33,078.24 crore is for Foreign procurement.
Further, the Government has taken several policy initiatives in the past few years and brought in reform to encourage indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment, thereby promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing & technology in the country. These initiatives, inter-alia, include according priority to procurement of capital items from domestic sources under Defence Acquisition Procedure -2020; Notification of four ‘Positive Indigenisation Lists’ of total 411 items of Services and four ‘Positive Indigenisation Lists’ of total 4,666 items of Defence Public Sector Undertakings , for which there would be an embargo on the import beyond the timelines indicated against them; Simplification of Industrial licensing process with longer validity period; Liberalisation of Foreign Direct Investment  policy allowing 74% FDI under automatic route; Simplification of Make procedure; Launch of Mission Defspace; Launch of innovations for Defence Excellence  scheme involving start-ups & Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ; Implementation of public procurement  Order 2017; Launch of an indigenisation portal namely SRIJAN to facilitate indigenisation by Indian Industry including MSME; Reforms in Offset policy with thrust on attracting investment and Transfer of Technology  for defence manufacturing by assigning higher multipliers; Establishment of two Defence Industrial Corridors, one each in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; Opening up of Defence Research & Development  for industry, start-ups and academia with 25 percent of Defence Research and Development budget; and progressive increase in allocation of Defence Budget of military modernisation for procurement from domestic sources, etc.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Adv Dean Kuriakose and Shri Anumula Revanth Reddy in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Broadcast Reforms by Prasar Bharati to pave way for new technologies new content opportunities
Rolling-out broadcasting reforms at Doordarshan and All India Radio over last couple of years, Prasar Bharati has been swiftly phasing out obsolete broadcasting technologies like Analog Terrestrial TV Transmitters, paving way for paradigm shift to emerging technologies and new content opportunities.
Taking note of misinformation being published in certain media outlets, Prasar Bharati has clarified that broadcast reform steps to phase out obsolete analog terrestrial TV transmitters was being misrepresented. Recently, such false reports about DD Silchar, DD Kalaburagi etc have been noticed. Prasar Bharati has made it clear that these DD Centres shall continue to generate program content for broadcasting on the satellite channels of Doordarshan dedicated to their respective States, apart from maintaining their presence on digital media via YouTube and on social media. For instance, program content generated by DD Silchar and DD Kalaburagi shall now be broadcast on DD Assam and DD Chandana respectively.
Analog Terrestrial TV is an obsolete technology and phaseout of the same is in both public interest and national interest as it makes valuable spectrum available for new and emerging technologies such as 5g apart from reducing wasteful expenditure on power. So far, almost 70% of all Analog Transmitters have been phased out. Rest are being sunset in a phased manner while ensuring appropriate measures are taken for re-deployment of manpower. With the exception of around 50 analog terrestrial TV transmitters in strategic locations, Prasar Bharati will be phasing out the rest of the obsolete analog transmitters by 31st March 2022.
Timeline of ATT Phase out and Resource rationalisation
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Year
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Number of ATTs phased out
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Spectrum Bandwidth Freed
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IEBR Expenditure Reduction/Annum
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2017 - 18
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306
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7 MHz in VHF,
8 MHz U inHF
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Around Rs 100 Cr savings in operating expenditure annually
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2018 - 19
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468
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2019 - 20
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6
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2020 - 21
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46
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2021 - 22
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412
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By Oct 21 – 152
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By Dec 21 – 109
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By Mar 22 – 151
Prasar Bharati has also entered into a MoU with IIT Kanpur to develop Next Gen Broadcast solution/roadmap for Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting consistent with emerging standards such as 5G Broadcast to enable new applications such as Direct to Mobile Broadcasting and to create new Content Opportunities through the use of Artificial Intelligence Algorithms.
Through DD FreeDish DTH all Doordarshan channels including DD Assam and several private channels have been made available by Prasar Bharati, free of cost with no monthly fees throughout India. Set-top boxes to receive DD FreeDish DTH channels in “free to air mode” may be purchased through the open market as a one-time investment to access more than 120 free to air TV channels including several educational channels as well as more than 40 satellite radio channels of Akashvani.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Stockholding limit for Sugar Mills
In view of surplus stock position, the Government has imposed stock holding limit on sugar mills w.e.f. June, 2018 to prevent over supply of sugar in the domestic market and to maintain demand-supply balance. It also supplements fixation of minimum selling price  of sugar by ensuring that a level playing field is provided to all the mills.
By and large sugar mills are following/implementing the monthly stock holding limit order. Sugar mills which do not comply with these orders, action is taken against them as per provisions of EC Act, 1955.
Sugar mills are statutorily required to fill in the on line P-II Proforma which captures the data of their sugar production and dispatches etc. on monthly basis and on the basis of which the Government supervises their compliance of stock holding limit orders. States Governments have also been asked to ensure implementation of these orders by the sugar mills.
This information was given in a written reply by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Danve Raosaheb Dadarao in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
31.50 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India administered 61.19 lakh vaccine doses in last 24 hours
India reports 48,698 new cases in last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload declines to 5,95,565; less than 6 lakhs after 86 days
Active cases constitute 1.97% of total cases
2,91,93,085 Total Recoveries across the country so far
64,818 patients recovered during last 24 hours
Daily recoveries continue to outnumber the Daily New Cases for the 44th consecutive day
Recovery Rate increases to 96.72%
Weekly Positivity Rate remains below 5%, currently at 2.97%
Daily positivity rate at 2.79%, less than 5% for 19 consecutive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 40.18 cr tests total conducted